Peer Learning Mission in Ghana Highlights the Promise of Free Movement
At Ghana’s airports and border posts, representatives from African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the Pan-African Parliament, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and development partners witnessed first-hand how innovation can transform borders into gateways of opportunity.
From biometric systems to coordinated digital tools, the Peer Learning Mission in Accra demonstrated that free movement is not just a policy goal but a tangible force that strengthens security, opens trade, and creates opportunities for travellers, cross-border traders, and entrepreneurs.
The African Union and GIZ convened this mission to showcase how border communities and governments can work together to make movement across the continent smoother and safer. Participants left with a clear understanding that when borders function effectively, they do more than protect; they connect people to jobs, education, markets, and each other.
From 1 to 4 July 2025, Accra became the centre of a dynamic continental conversation as leaders, experts, and partners gathered for the Peer-to-Peer Experience Sharing and Learning Mission on the Free Movement Protocol. Representatives from 13 AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the Pan-African Parliament, AfCFTA, and development partners came together to share lessons, address challenges, and reimagine what a truly borderless Africa could look like. The discussions marked a step forward for one of Africa’s most transformative integration agendas.
Participants explored Ghana’s pioneering policies on visa openness through site visits to Kotoka International Airport and the Akanu–Noepe Joint Border Post. There, innovations in biometric systems, digital tools, and coordinated border management were demonstrated in practice. These exchanges showed how free movement, when well managed, strengthens both prosperity and security. Rwanda’s example was highlighted, where lifting visa requirements has boosted tourism and service revenues, proving the tangible benefits of simpler systems.
Delegates described the mission as eye-opening, especially seeing first-hand how streamlined processes directly improve the lives of ordinary travellers, women engaged in cross-border trade, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Many emphasised that behind the policies are people seeking opportunity, dignity, and connection, and that free movement can change lives by opening doors to jobs, education, and cultural exchange.
As H.E. Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, reminded participants: “Without the free movement of people, the Free Trade Agreement will not work.”
Accra’s gathering reaffirmed that free movement is not only central to Agenda 2063 but also indispensable for realizing the African Continental Free Trade Area. The momentum is clear: Africa is on the move towards a borderless, integrated, and opportunity-filled future.